Best Things To Do in Flam Norway

Flam is probably one of the most visited fjord destinations in Norway. Not only it’s a popular stop for major cruise ships, but it’s also an important element of a very popular formula – Norway in a Nutshell. We visited Flam by car, as part of our two-week Norway road trip. In this post I share our experience and tell you about the best things to see and do in Flam. I also included a suggested one day itinerary for Flam and advice on where to stay. Below you will also find some tips on how to avoid the crowds and truly enjoy this magnificent region.

Best things to do in Flam

1. Scenic Flam railway – Flåmsbana

A spectacular train journey Flam – Myrdal – Flam is probably the main highlight in Flam area. Described in many publications as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, a ride on the Flam scenic railway is not to be missed.

The 2-hour round trip will take you through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery. In less than an hour, the train ascends 866 metres (2841 ft), and passes beautiful valleys and countless waterfalls.

The train makes a short photo stop by the impressive Kjosfossen waterfall. All of a sudden the music starts to play and a dancer appears on the mountain, by the ruins of an old farm. Some people will find this a mesmerising experience, the others – a strange tourist attraction. No matter in which camp you are, you cannot help but admire the sheer power of this waterfall! And just think of it – how cool is it for a train to stop in the middle of nowhere just for you to be able to admire this spectacular waterfall.

Flam railway practical information and tips:

Arrive at the station at least 20-30min before departure. The sooner you board, the more seat choice you have.

The first and last seats of every wagon have windows that can be opened. If you are planning to take pictures, that’s the place to be.

Right side (departing from Flam) of the train will give you a bit better views most of the time.

If visiting in summer, go very early in the morning or on the last train in the evening to avoid the crowds. If I were to visit Flam again, I would love to experience this beautiful place off-season. I hear that the scenic Flam railway is just spectacular in spring and autumn as well.

Kjosfossen waterfall between Flam and Myrdal

Flam railway – is it worth it?

I have read lots of mixed reviews of Flam railway and was wondering if it’s worth it. Some say it’s a tourist attraction. It is. Some say it’s for old people. No, it’s for everyone. Some say it’s expensive. Everything is expensive in Norway. Some say it’s one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. It certainly is!

Yes, it’s busy, it’s expensive, it’s full of tourists, and all those things. But it’s also a spectacular trip! Do you really want to miss it just because it’s popular?! Would you miss the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York? Go early in the morning, take the very first train (7.30 AM in summer), come off season. Do whatever works best for you, but don’t miss Flam scenic railway!

Flamsbana scenic railway is a must in Flam

2. Scenic cruise of Nærøyfjord – Naeroyfjord

Listed as the UNESCO World Heritage site, Nærøyfjord is one of the most beautiful fjords of Norway. The narrow fjord is surrounded by mountains peaking up to 1800 meters (5900 ft) above sea level. I don’t think I have ever seen so many waterfalls in my life as at Naeroyfjord! Incredible scenery, together with the picturesque little villages with colourful houses dotting the landscape, makes this one of the most scenic fjords in Norway!

The best and easiest way to truly appreciate the beauty of Naeroyfjord is from the water. There are several options, the most popular is the scenic fjord cruise from either Flam or Gudvangen.

Naeroyfjord scenic cruise practical information and tips:

In summer, there are two types of boats doing this cruise: the regular ‘old’ type boat or the new ‘Vision of the Fjords’ maritime hybrid vessel. This premium option is faster and has more viewing decks, but it’s also more expensive.

The boats stop several times, but you cannot hop off and hop on with the same ticket. If you prefer to explore one of the villages, like Undredal, you have to enquire for separate tickets. Or visit Undredal by car, like we did.

The Naeroyfjord scenic trip is not a car ferry, but there is a bus that can take you back to the starting point. The boat trip takes about 2-3 hours depending on the vessel, but the shuttle bus between Gudvangen and Flam takes only 20 minutes.

Early morning or late afternoon departures are the best.

Naeroyfjord cruise is another must in Flam!

3. Viking Valley Njardarheimr in Gudvangen

The newly opened Viking Valley in Gudvangen is not a museum, but an authentic Viking village. You can meet real Vikings, learn more about their lifestyle, crafts, and history. There are regular guided tours, and it’s really interesting to meet these people who are so passionate about the Viking era that they choose to live that way today.

Make sure you talk to the Vikings. If you show some interest in what they do, you get to meet some amazing people and learn a lot.

We didn’t know what to expect of this place before our visit, and thought it was some kind of a museum. But we spent almost 3 hours here, and left with a feeling that we have experienced something truly unique. I highly recommend to include Viking Village in your Flam itinerary, also if visiting with kids. To me, Viking Village is one of the best things to do in Flam area!

Viking Valley gives you unique opportunity to learn more about the Vikings

4. Stegastein viewpoint

A narrow road with twists and turns brings you to Stegastein viewpoint, where on a clear day you can enjoy one of the best views of the fjords in the whole area. It’s really nice to see, but note that Stegastein viewpoint is located about half an hour’s drive from Flam and therefore requires a car (or a guided tour) to get there.

Stegastein viewpoint

5. Undredal

Undredal is a tiny little village along the Naeroyfjord that in the past could only be reached by boat. Apart from the 12th century stave church, a cafe, and some colourful houses, there isn’t actually much to see or do here. It’s an idyllic little place that you will pass by boat if you do the scenic Nærøyfjord cruise. But there are also organised tours to visit Undredal, or you can come by car and visit individually.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about Undredal. I loved the look of the village from the water, it’s just so picturesque! And the road to the village was also nice: you pass a couple of farms specialised in goat cheese production, and the scenery is beautiful too. But when we visited Undredal in the afternoon, there were at least 5 busses with tourists here. And I was wondering for what. Apart from the little church, there’s really not much to see here. I think they walk to the church and then have some cheese tasting at a tiny cafe by an even tinier harbour. We expected to be able to see how they make cheese, but even that is not possible. It looked like the cruise ship companies have found the way to make money out of nothing.

Is Undredal worth it?If you have little time and have already seen Undredal from the fjord cruise, then don’t worry about going back by car – you have seen the best of it. If you have a car and have an hour to spare, sure, you can drive all the way to Undredal. Just try to go in the morning or in the evening and avoid the crowds from the cruise ships. You might have a more authentic experience than we did.

Undredal village as seen from the fjord cruise

6. Flam Railway Museum

Flam railway museum is located at the Flam railway station and the entrance is free. It’s not a museum I would go out of my way to visit, but if you are in Flam and have 15 minutes, definitely take a look inside. It’s actually quite fascinating to learn more about the construction of this railway.

Can you imagine building a mountain railway with these tools?!

7. Brekkefossen waterfall hike

If you would like to do some hiking in Flam, then Brekkkefossen waterfall is probably one of the nicest easily accessible options. You can get the map at the Tourist information centre. If you walk all the way, count 2-3 hours round trip. The first part is on a paved road (can also be done by car), and then there is a climb to the waterfall. Note that the climb is rather steep and you need good walking shoes. If it has been raining, expect it to be muddy.

Again, Brekkefossen is not really a must to see in Flam, but if you like hiking and want to escape the crowds, then it’s definitely a nice hike to consider. If this is the first waterfall you will see in Norway, then you will definitely be impressed. But if you have been traveling around a bit more and have seen hundreds of waterfalls by the time you get to Flam, then Brekkefossen is just an average waterfall, not more. We haven’t climbed all the way to the top – here is the view from the road where the climb starts.

Brekkkefossen waterfall

More things to do in Flam

The above activities are – in my opinion – the best things to see and do in Flam in one day. If you have more time, however, there are always more options. You can go kayaking on the fjord, do more hiking, rent a bike (can also be combined with the scenic Flam railway). In Flam village you can also visit the Aurland Shoe shop and take a guided tour of the small factory. And if you like beer, don’t miss the Aegir Brew Pub. There is also a park and several playgrounds in Flam. Great to let your kids run off some energy.

Aegir Brew Pub looks more like a stave church than a cafe

How to spend one day in Flam – suggested itinerary

For such a small place, Flam offers quite a lot of activities. But most tourists only have one day in Flam. Here is my suggestion on how to best spend one day in Flam. The hours I suggest are based on the current summer schedule (2017).

You can change the order of the activities, but this gives you an idea on what you can see and do in Flam in one a day. Also, you can do pretty much the same trip starting in Gudvangen as well.

4.40 PM arrive in Flam. If you have a car, drive up to Stegastein viewpoint and/or to Undredal. Alternative – hike to Brekkkefossen waterfall.

End your day with a dinner at Aegir Brew Pub.

Goat farm on the way to Undredal

Where to stay in Flam area

There are just three hotels in Flam, and a couple of holiday homes and apartments. It’s a very popular area, so it’s essential that you book in advance. Staying in Flam is by far the best option for exploring the region. There are also several restaurants and a small supermarket as well.

If all accommodation in Flam is fully booked or is above your budget, Gudvangen is probably the best alternative. We stayed at Gudvangen Fjordtell and Apartments, and the location was fantastic. Hotel is a bit dated though. But then again – you come here for the location. Just take a look at this image below – I took this picture just a few steps away from our hotel room. And in the evening we had this spectacular place all to ourselves!

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Comments

Such a helpful and detailed post about Flam! Thank you for writing and sharing. I’ll spending a week in Norway at the end of September, but I didn’t have time to fit Flam in. I will definitely have to next time! So beautiful!

That’s a pity, Ania, Flam is definitely worth a visit. But I know how difficult it is to squeeze so many beautiful places in a short trip itinerary. Norway is huge and there’s so much to see. Maybe next time indeed.

My husband worked in Laerdal near Flam a few years ago and I can safely say it is one of my favourite places on earth. We travelled the railway and along the fjord by ferry at the very end of October. There were no cruise ships and not so many tourists and it was stunningly beautiful. We caught a bus from Laerdal and were alone for a good hour at the cafe and could wander round and totally enjoy the experience- just the two of us! It was Fantastic!

Welcome!

Hi, I’m Jurga. A traveller with a camera and a mom of three boys. On this blog I share our family's travel experiences all over the world, coupled with lots of practical information and useful tips. My pictures will inspire you to discover new destinations and my stories will prove that you can take your kids anywhere.Join us as we discover the world one beautiful adventure at a time!Read more about me, my family, and our trips all over the world...